You might not even know you have a pest problem in your home until it’s too late. They can be hard to find, and the damage they do is often hidden from sight. Understanding what pests are common in homes will help you identify potential problems early on so that you can take action before they become unmanageable.
This article discusses how to identify common house pests and deal with them before they cause more damage!
Termites
Termites are one of the most destructive pests to have in your home. These tiny bugs can do a lot of damage before you know it, and they’re not that easy to find either. Termites usually enter homes through small cracks around window sills and door frames where there is no paint sealing off gaps from the outside world. You may also see flying termites if you live near a wooded area; these buggers will take flight all over your house once inside! They’ll eat at anything that looks like food: bookshelves, furniture, carpets- pretty much everything but metal objects. Ways to deal with them include:
- Seal off any cracks around windows, doors, and foundation. You can do this by using silicone sealant or expanding foam. Be sure that the product you use is designed for exterior applications! This includes filling gaps in window frames with caulk as well. Keep an eye on your home while it’s being treated so that you don’t miss a spot! Also, keep your pets and family away from these areas until they’ve dried completely.
- Call an exterminator. They will come out to assess the situation and give you a quote for treatment if necessary. For areas with heavy infestation, it may be better to call in professional help because they have more experience dealing with this issue than yourself.
- Get rid of any stored food products that are not in sealed containers like cereal boxes or canned goods; these insects can eat through cardboard very easily! Your pantry should also be cleared of any opened packages so everything is tightly closed up at all times. It’s best to use airtight plastic bags instead too since many people don’t realize how vulnerable their food is until after they’ve already been attacked by termites.
Rats And Mice
Rats and mice are common pests in the home. Both rats and mice can be dangerous to humans. They will eat anything from food scraps to your furniture if unchecked, so it is important that these pesky critters are dealt with as soon as possible. There are a few steps you can take towards the prevention of rodents in your home. First off, make sure any sensitive or valuable items such as electronics or decorations have been stored away for safekeeping where rodents cannot reach them. Rats and mice like dark places so keep things tidy inside closets by eliminating clutter (including old clothing) which provides nesting material for rats and mice looking for shelter outside their burrows.
If the pesky critters do get in, you can try using a spray of peppermint oil around your home. Since rodents are naturally afraid of new smells and dislike minty smells, it’s likely that they will run away from this scent. You may also want to consider purchasing an electronic repellant or rodent trap to reduce the risk of any potential contact with these pests. Rats in particular may carry all sorts of diseases. Alternative to traps, you can consider killing rats with an air rifle as it is a very effective way to deal with them due to the fact that rats are not very agile. An air rifle is an ideal option for people who are not sure about killing rats with traps but want something humane that won’t hurt them as much or make too big of a mess on their property.
Roaches
Cockroaches are one of the most common pests found in homes and buildings. They usually live in moist, warm areas like kitchens or bathrooms, but can also be found throughout other parts of a home or commercial building. Roaches have a flat body shape that allows them to access small cracks and spaces where they are less likely to encounter predators such as cats. This makes getting rid of roaches challenging because it’s difficult for sprays or baits to get into these crevices on their own. In order to successfully eliminate an infestation, homeowners need to take more drastic measures by eliminating food sources near kitchen sinks, using sticky traps along with countertops under cabinets and behind stoves, caulking gaps around pipes beneath sinks and dishwashers – anywhere that molasses or chocolate bait might seep through. The key to success in fighting roaches is being persistent and patient – it can take weeks for an infestation to be eliminated completely with the help of a professional exterminator, but doing so will save not only your sanity but also your money.
Ants
Ants can be a real nuisance. They’re territorial and will invade your home if they smell food or sugar on the countertop, floor, or any other nearby surface. If you notice an ant infestation in one area of your home (kitchen), it’s best to start there because this is where ants are most likely to find food. The first step towards getting rid of ants involves cleaning up all sources of spills that may have attracted them in the first place: crumbs off counters, pet hair from furniture surfaces etcetera. You should also vacuum often for weeks after killing ants with baits as their dead bodies could still contaminate areas for some time afterward. After eliminating these “attractants” ants will lose interest and move on.
There are many different types of ant baits available for purchase, but keep in mind that some work better than others at attracting ants. Choose one with a strong smell or sugar content to lure the bugs over, then place it where they’re most likely to find it (for example under your kitchen sink). Leave bait out overnight – this is when ants look for food. In case you didn’t kill them all just yet, repeat these steps every few days until there are no more signs of activity from your pesky invaders.
Spiders
Spiders are often found in the corners of your room or in dark nooks. They like to feed on flies, mosquitoes, and other bugs that we might also find around our home so they’re not really a pest unless you have an allergic reaction to them. If spiders make their way into your home then it’s usually best just to let them stay there: no point killing something that is doing us a favor! If you want to be rid of spiders from your house, try spraying with insecticide every few weeks or getting yourself some spider repellent plants such as Citronella Grass which will discourage spiders from coming near your house in the first place. If you have a really bad infestation of spiders then it might be worth calling in the professionals and asking for advice. They’ll know what’s best, whether they need to come out or if an insecticide will do the trick. If you’re not sure, just ask!
Termites, roaches, ants, and rats are all pests that can infest your home. It’s important to be proactive in preventing these bugs from getting a foothold by taking preventative measures like sealing cracks or holes with caulking or expanding foam insulation. You should also make sure there aren’t any broken windows or other openings near the ground so they have no way of entering your house. If you already see signs of an infestation it’s time for professional help because some pest control methods require specialized equipment such as gas-powered foggers which could cause injury if used incorrectly.
